Why Dimmable Lighting is a Bright Idea | LED Phantom
There are many compelling reasons to upgrade your commercial or industrial lighting with dimmed lighting. Dimmed lighting can provide a number of benefits for businesses and organizations, including energy savings, improved productivity and safety, and reduced environmental impact. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of dimmed lighting and discuss how it can improve your business or organization.
dimming LEDs saves energy at a roughly 1:1 ratio. So for each percent that you dim an LED, you save one percent in energy consumption. This is due to the fact that LEDs are more efficient when operated at lower light levels. In addition, dimming your LEDs can also extend their lifespan.
Dimming your lights can also improve productivity and safety in the workplace. Studies have shown that workers who are exposed to higher levels of light are more productive than those who are not. In addition, brighter lighting can be hazardous to worker safety, as it can cause eye strain and even temporary blindness. Dimming your lights can help reduce these risks.
DIMMING: ANALOG VERSUS DIGITAL
There are two main types of dimming: analog and digital. Analog dimming is the older, more traditional method of dimming lights. In analog dimming, the light intensity is controlled by reducing the amount of electricity that flows to the light. This can be done with a simple switch or knob, or with more sophisticated devices that use sensors to automatically adjust the light level based on the amount of natural light in the room.
Digital dimming is a newer technology that offers several advantages over analog dimming. In digital dimming, the light intensity is controlled by programming a computer chip inside the LED fixture. This allows for much finer control over the light level, and also eliminates many of the problems associated with analog dimmers.
DIMMING PROTOCOLS
The most prominent protocols for commercial and industrial dimming controls are:
0-1000 DSI (Digital Serial Interface): A proprietary control system from Philips Lighting that uses a two-wire bus to connect devices. It is commonly used in hospitality and residential applications.
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface): An open standard that uses a two-wire bus to connect devices. It is commonly used in commercial and industrial applications.
Lutron Homeworks QS: A proprietary control system from Lutron that uses a powerline carrier (PLC) to connect devices. It is commonly used in residential and small commercial applications.
Ethernet/IP: An open standard that uses Ethernet to connect devices. It is commonly used in large commercial and industrial applications.
POLARITY
LED arrays, components and wiring are color-coded, usually red (+), and black (-). To avoid damaging your equipment, make sure to connect the wires with the correct polarity. Unlike traditional incandescent/halogen lamps, an LED array will function only when voltage is applied in the forward direction of the diode.
POWER SOURCE/SUPPLY
Most LED systems use electronic drivers to convert AC mains voltage to forward voltage DC (Direct Current). A few systems may use batteries for a DC power source. A slight change in voltage can cause a substantial change in current. So, it’s important to use a power source that can maintain a consistent voltage.
Now that you understand dimming technology, feel free to contact us here if you have any further questions.